BT congestion and peering issues?

Hi there,

I have noticed some slowdown issues with my BT/EE network over the past 3 weeks. Specifically, I have a 1600 Mbps connection. When I run a speed test using Fast (Netflix), the speed gets stuck at ~500 Mbps (Wired connection via the 2.5G port). I ran similar tests using different Speedtest servers. On some servers, I was able to reach maximum speeds. On some others, speed gets captivated again. I then used a VPN and was able to see full speeds on Fast[.]com, so does that basically confirm the issue lies with the BT core network?

I had hoped they would resolve the issue by themselves. Two weeks have passed, and the problem is still. I’m essentially unable to reach a "technician" during working hours as I need to work as well. Customer service just keeps repeating the script and offers no help. It's really annoying and ends up wasting my time.

I would like to ask if someone else in East London have noticed similar issues? If this weren't a problem with my internal network, I might spend 2 hours calling them next week...

Can you test with any other machines and if so make absolutely sure that the link speed of the device your testing with has > 1 Gbps wired connection (ie 2.5, 5 or 10 Gbps) to the router.

Run some further speed tests to this site, rather then fast.com. Also consider testing using the Download Test Files using another tool, and calculate your speed from there, again to confirm it’s not a browser or another software issue on your side.

I'm in Herts on EE 1.6Gb and have none of those issues

Same results. I have also tested on the ThinkBroadband site, tbbx1, only 20.7 Mbps and 187 Mbps down, 121 Mbps up. So there is definitely a problem. The larger file download site does not work for me. I use cloudflare.com to test, the speed over 1Gbps+ but 0.2% packet loss. YouFibre server on Speedtest can reach 1.6 Gbps.

So, today I have a bit of time, I found the EE router in the storage room (perhaps I shouldn't be posting in the BT sub-forum, but essentially it's the same network—forgive me). Same test results, I downloaded the EE mobile app and ran a test; it detected an issue with their network, so I went ahead and booked an engineer visit for Monday. I suspect the problem is something about the fibre attenuation in PON. BTW, the ONU is actually on green lights.

I will wait for the engineer to arrive and see what he has...

Thanks for the information. I’ve already booked an engineer visit via the app. It went smoothly than I thought. I didn't even have to go through customer service.

In reply to a post by Otuuu:

Same results. I have also tested on the ThinkBroadband site, tbbx1, only 20.7 Mbps and 187 Mbps down, 121 Mbps up. So there is definitely a problem. The larger file download site does not work for me. I use cloudflare.com to test, the speed over 1Gbps+ but 0.2% packet loss. YouFibre server on Speedtest can reach 1.6 Gbps.

So, today I have a bit of time, I found the EE router in the storage room (perhaps I shouldn't be posting in the BT sub-forum, but essentially it's the same network—forgive me). Same test results, I downloaded the EE mobile app and ran a test; it detected an issue with their network, so I went ahead and booked an engineer visit for Monday. I suspect the problem is something about the fibre attenuation in PON. BTW, the ONU is actually on green lights.

I will wait for the engineer to arrive and see what he has...

Can you spin up a BQM to your router please and post up the results?

In reply to a post by jpm:

I'm in Herts on EE 1.6Gb and have none of those issues

I ran the same for the past two years (just moved to Aquiss 1.8) and likewise had no performance issues.

Looks like it maybe a localised issues for the OP. If we’re able to see the BQM any packet loss should be self evident. Hopefully.🤞

Thanks. I just set one up, let's see what happens. The only thing I can't figure out is if the issue is PON, why are there have different results in different speedtest servers. Hopefully, it's just localised issues. We live in an MDU flat, my neighbours are mostly using Hyperoptic, they don't seem to have any issues when I ask.

I just ran the speedtest in the EE app and only got a download speed of 36 Mbps. Frankly, our family of four didn't notice any problems with it until recently, when we started playing online games and saw packet loss. It can even reach speeds of 1.6 Gbps when downloading games on Steam.

I used their 900 Mbps service for a while previously, and it was very very stable. This connection was installed after I moved earlier this year. Hopefully, it will be sorted soon.

No worries. You can post a simply link to your anonymous ‘live’ BQM graph using ‘Share Live’ button.

https://www.thinkbroadband.com/broadband/monitoring/...

There is a red line shown in the graph, where I unplugged the fibre and plugged it back in. The problem seems to be resolved. Speed ​​tests back to full on websites.

The clip on the fibre connector was broken by the previous engineer.
https://files.catbox.moe/z1qsgd.JPG

It likely bumped against other items in the utility room, causing shifting or rotating... I will ask the engineer to splice on a new fibre connector for me.

I will ask the engineer to splice on a new fibre connector for me

They don’t splice on those connectors.
The whole lead in cable from the CSP/fibreDP{if an MDU} would need replacing.

Definitely need a new cable to be installed. Call EE and get them to book an engineer

In reply to a post by Otuuu:

It likely bumped against other items in the utility room, causing shifting or rotating... I will ask the engineer to splice on a new fibre connector for me.

Just to say you can’t rotate those connectors - well you can but you will possibly damage the face - as they are an APC style connector- which means the face has an offset angle, it’s not flat. This is why the connectors are coloured green (rather than blue to distinguish them from their flat faced cousins). When the rest of the body of the connector is ordinarily present, then it locks the face in the correct orientation. It also stops the ferrule from working its way loose from the barrel in the body.

Rotating the connector will also lead to a loss of light and quite probably also allow dust ingress between the connector faces.

I cannot imagine why any competent engineer would think this was OK to leave. Just sheer bone laziness I guess.

There you go plenty of verbiage to quote the contact centre agent when they ask why it needs replacing! 🤩🫶

Edited by Pheasant (Sun 02-Aug-26 23:13:28)

I agree. I will quote your word, haha. You can see in the picture that the white box in the lower-left is actually a legacy of the previous 1G ONT case (that Huawei one with backup power unit), which the previous engineer didn't remove because he said it was impossible (tbh it doesn't look good). Fibre cable is introduced there. I have a table next to, piled with clutter above and below, and I guess I may have accidentally bumped into the fibre cable.

Anyway, I am here to wait for the OR Engineer to show up. I might bribe him with a drink.

So they left the old ONT in place. Wow. Staggering levels of sheer laziness.

My original install was from 2019, so that had the older Huawei ONT which was encased inside the larger enclosure which had a BBU (battery backup unit). This can be reused with the newer ONTs - they do fit inside - just use some self adhesive or similar. Once the outer lid is shut they stay in place. This also has the benefit of protecting the connectors better than just the ONT on its own.

I also Brother labeled the outside LED window markings as the light sequence / order is different from the OG Huawei to the newer Nokias, Adtran etc. 2.5G units. This is entirely optional though.

Doing it this way minimises the clutter on your walls and also means you get the benefit of the BBU for power supply autonomy. In any event you don’t at all need both boxes in place, just the most recent one.

Were you there when they did the upgrade or did you leave it to someone else to supervise?

Edited by Pheasant (Mon 03-Aug-26 15:13:15)

Happy ending.

The engineer came and put on a new green tap on the fibre. Removed that large white box that prevours ONT used. Behind it is a standard well panel hole. I will buy a new panel to make it look neat. Moving the new ONT down so it can be easily accessed without moving the table next to it.

Things learned: The fibre port caused speed issues on certain servers (where some were good, some were bad) and packet loss during gameplay. The actual internet experience was not noted unless tested. ONT indicator was solid green, and there were no disconnections. Putting the EE router and running a network diagnostic via the mobile app allows "bypass" Customer Service and book an engineer visit when a problem is detected.

Thank you to everyone for your help with this.

Yes, that’s the ONT model we originally have. But when we arrived, there was no backup power supply inside, only the ONT. We have a Zyxel 2.5G ONT now.

Great. 👍

It’s possible they simply put on a new “field-fit” SC-APC connector, depending on when the install was originally done. Otherwise they would have pulled in a new cable that has the SC-APC connector factory fitted (more durable and rugged than field-fit type connectors) and run that new cable back to the CSP.

Either way, sound like it was properly sorted. So well done.

“field-fit” SC-APC

Yuk …. naaaaarrrsty

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

“field-fit” SC-APC

Yuk …. naaaaarrrsty

Fusion baby, fusion. It’s the future 🤩😅

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

“field-fit” SC-APC

Yuk …. naaaaarrrsty

Fusion baby, fusion. It’s the future 🤩😅

So many instances of them failing, for no apparent reason, sometimes within months of being used. Had one, I’d fitted myself, light loss readings at CSP, and at ONT showed no discernible loss. It failed a week later. I spoke with engineer who faulted it. All the cleats were still in situ, it hadn’t been moved, touched, tampered with. The useless sodding thing just decided to stop doing the one thing it was made for.

It was a happy day when they were removed from use. Give me the original Eezee bend cables. Robust, durable, reliable. And stop using the ‘Tommy Tipee’ idiots splicers too. Seen their resultant splices fall apart too often too.

{whinge over}

I’ve been very lucky, or otherwise lucked out - as I’ve probably mentioned on the forum, my install way back in the mists of time (2019) was when Openreach were going through their experimental “CSP-less” period. Touch wood that “field-fit” mechanical connector is still going strong.

Though due to a downed aerial drop cable (fallen tree came through it a few years ago) we have a splice point somewhere up in the loft. I should probably investigate it properly. Another non-standard install 😂